USA: U.S. President George W. Bush honours assassinated civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the influential civil rights activist was remembered on Monday (January 17, 2007) in the United States with parades and other community events. President George W. Bush also honoured King's legacy by helping paint a mural honouring King and other African American figures and institutions at a Washington D.C. high school. Several thousand people on Monday (January 15) participated in the San Antonio march which began at the "Martin Luther King Freedom" bridge and ended three miles away at a neighbourhood youth club. The route was intended to symbolize a key theme in King's teaching --- community involvement. King's "I have a dream" speech marked a pivotal moment in the African-American struggle for civil rights during the 1960's. A reverend, King urged African-Americans to engage in non-violent resistance to protest unequal treatment. President George W. Bush also honoured King's legacy by helping paint a mural honouring King and other African American figures and institutions at a local high school. "I would encourage people around the country to seize any opportunity they can to help anybody in need and by helping somebody in need you are honouring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and by helping somebody in need you are really helping yourself by lifting your soul," Bush said. King was murdered on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. His widow, Corretta Scott King continued his work in the civil rights movement. Coretta Scott King died last year from cancer. Her funeral was attended by President Bush, Clinton and Carter. U.S. markets were closed for the Martin Luther King Day holiday. This federal holiday honouring the civil rights leader is observed on the third Monday in January. In 2007, the holiday fell on Martin Luther King's birthday, January 15.

ITN Source | January 16, 2007

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